Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, faced another setback in her 2025 season with a third-round loss at the US Open, prompting her to share insights on two of tennis’s top players: world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Her 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Rybakina in just 62 minutes underscored the challenges of competing against the sport’s elite, leading Raducanu to evaluate which player poses the greater threat. With her trademark candor, she offered a revealing look at the dynamics of these matchups and her ongoing journey to reclaim her spot among tennis’s best.
### A Season of Tough Battles
Raducanu’s 2025 Grand Slam run has been marked by grit but also tough draws against top-tier opponents. Despite reaching the third round at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, she has struggled against the likes of Iga Swiatek (6-1, 6-0 in Melbourne; 6-1, 6-2 in Paris), Sabalenka (7-6, 6-4 at Wimbledon), and Rybakina in New York. “I’ve faced Iga twice, Aryna, and Elena—it’s tough,” she said after her US Open loss, acknowledging her current world ranking of 36. “With my ranking, I can face top players early on.”
Raducanu started the US Open strongly, dominating qualifiers Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen while dropping only six games. However, Rybakina, the No. 9 seed, overwhelmed her with relentless power. “Elena played really well, and I couldn’t find any rhythm,” Raducanu admitted, describing Rybakina’s “clean and heavy” shots that kept her pinned back. A pivotal moment came in the second set’s opening game, where Raducanu, up 40-0, committed five unforced errors, allowing Rybakina to seize control.
### Rybakina vs. Sabalenka: The Tougher Foe
When comparing Rybakina and Sabalenka, Raducanu pinpointed Rybakina as the more challenging opponent. “Even though Aryna is world No. 1, I find Elena tougher in that form,” she said post-match. She highlighted Rybakina’s aggressive starts, noting, “Her first few shots put you under so much pressure, and her ball is so clean and heavy, it’s hard to settle into rallies.” In contrast, she described Sabalenka’s style as powerful but prone to “a few more errors,” allowing Raducanu to stay competitive.
Her head-to-head records reflect this. Against Sabalenka, Raducanu has won a set and averaged 12 games per match, including a tight three-setter in Cincinnati in 2025. Against Rybakina, however, she has managed just four games across two matches, including a 6-0, 6-1 loss in Sydney in 2022. “With Elena, you feel like you can’t get into the rallies,” she explained, emphasizing Rybakina’s ability to dictate play early.
### A Champion’s Target
Raducanu believes her 2021 US Open title makes her a target for top players. “They have a point to prove against me, and they lock in,” she said, viewing it as a compliment but also a reminder of the work ahead. Former player Laura Robson echoed this, noting that Raducanu’s Grand Slam status motivates opponents to elevate their game.
Despite the loss, Raducanu remains hopeful. Her new coach, Francisco Roig, previously Rafael Nadal’s mentor, has already sparked progress in their three-week partnership. “We’ve made good improvements,” she said, aiming to climb back toward the top 20 to avoid early matchups with top seeds. “I’ve got to keep working to close the gap before Australia,” she added.
### Looking Forward
As Raducanu gears up for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, starting September 16, 2025, she carries lessons from her US Open defeat. Her focus on consistency and gradual improvement fuels her optimism. “I’m getting better overall, depending on the day and matchup,” she said. While Rybakina’s precision proved too much in New York, Raducanu’s resilience and growing confidence signal her determination to challenge the sport’s elite. Her honest reflections on Sabalenka and Rybakina offer a window into a champion still carving her path back to the top.
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